Scholarship for Muslim Students – We’ve heard many stories saying that Islam does not support education, especially for women. However, in reality Islam makes learning obligatory. In fact, the first verse that God sent to Islam’s prophet was to read/understand.
Today in United States there are literally thousands of Muslims students who are pursuing their undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate degree. Just like most students in the United States, these Muslim students are also struggling to pay their tuition fees and other educational costs. That is why we have listed some opportunities for scholarship for Muslim students in the United States below.
List of Scholarship for Muslim Students
Before you apply for these scholarships or grants, it is best if you apply for the Federal Pell Grant first. The Federal Pell grant is a government educational financial aid that helps students from low-income families. To apply, simply fill in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) honestly. After completion, you will get some information on the amount of money you will receive for your education. This grant can be considered as the ‘gate’ for other programs, which may also include some of the scholarship and grant programs we mention below:
Islamic Scholarship Fund
The first source we’d like to discuss is this Islamic Scholarship Fund. The award amount range between $2,000 and $5,000. The program requires all applicants to maintain good grades (at least GPA score of 3.0) in an ISF supported major, and the university that the applicant enrolled in should be an accredited university in United States.
IDB-BISEW IT Muslim Scholarship
The IDA-BISEW provides scholarships for students in the IT field. This scholarship is available for Muslim students in IT field who are planning to get a year-long training. This scholarship can cover the tuition cost, and in addition the scholarship program also provides funding for students to have their certification examination. It is important to understand that the scholarship is available for tuition-related costs, so you will have to find a way to get money for food and accommodation yourself.
Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Scholarships
Tailor-made for Oxford Muslim students, the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies provides a very generous scholarship that covers the whole tuition and college fee in Oxford University and also the living cost needed. This scholarship opportunity is available for graduate students from United Kingdom and from Muslim communities across the world. You have to have good academic merits to be eligible for this program. The deadline is set on January.
The Washington Center Muslim Scholarships
Worth at least $5,000, the scholarship can help students to pay off their classes and housing fees. We encourage all undergraduate American Muslim students to apply for the Washington Center Muslim Scholarship Program, available from the Washington Center and the Center for Global Understanding.
MWA 2016 Aisha (RA) Scholarship
Muslim women should also rejoice because there’s a gender-specific scholarship program called the Muslim Women’s Alliance Aisha (RA) scholarship program. The main purpose of this program is to empower Muslim women, allowing them to become confident, independent, and self-sufficient. Two selected applicants will receive $1,500 each.
The Lila Fahlman Scholarship
In Canada, there’s a similar program to the MWA Aisha scholarship called the Lila Fahlman Scholarship from the Canadian Council of Muslim Women. The program emphasizes on empowering Muslim women, with preference to those with African descent. The deadline for the application is at the end of January. Applicants must be a full-time student of graduate or undergraduate or certificate program in a Canadian college or university.
Islamic Community Scholarship Fund
The Islamic Community Endowed Scholarship Fund, working together with Islamic-Christian Endowed Scholarship fund have created this scholarship for full time Muslim students who have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The eligibility is based on various factors, including the academic merit and financial condition of the student (Pell Grant awardees have better chances in receiving this scholarship). The number of scholarship provided each year varies, depending on the available funding.
Carla M. Champagne Scholarship
If you’re a high school senior, undergraduate, or trade school student in Massachusetts, and you’ve been involved in volunteering or non-profit work, you’re eligible to apply for the Carla M. Champagne Scholarship.
Carla M. Champagne was a wonderful mother known for her dedication to helping others. She was cherished by many for her selflessness and her commitment to making a positive impact on those around her. Carla was always there to lend a hand for a good cause, no matter what else she had going on in her life.
This scholarship is to honor Carla’s memory by assisting students who share her passion for volunteering and who could use financial support for college.
To apply for the scholarship, you’ll need to share information about yourself, your volunteering experiences, and the lessons you’ve learned from them. Additionally, tehey want to hear about your plans for continuing to make a difference in the lives of others.
Chris Ford Scholarship
There’s an opportunity to win $11,000 in total, with four winners each getting $2,750. If you’re interested, you better hurry because the deadline to apply is April 22, 2024. The announcement of the scholarship on May 22, 2024. This opportunity is open to high school students.
Many talented students struggle to afford college because tuition fees keep increasing. Public 4-year colleges cost around $9,400 a year for tuition and fees, while private nonprofit colleges charge about $37,600 yearly. These high costs, combined with living expenses, often discourage students from pursuing their dreams.
This scholarship is here to help. It’s for Black high school seniors in business major who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. While anyone can apply, students from Ohio or Indiana are given preference. To apply, you need to share about yourself and explain how your future career will make a positive impact on the world. This scholarship wants to support bright minds with limited financial resources to achieve their educational and life goals.
Summary
Muslim scholarships are financial aid opportunities specifically are for students of the Islamic faith. They aim to provide financial support to Muslim students as well as others pursuing their educational goals. This aid can cover expenses like tuition, books, and housing. These scholarships are from Islamic organizations, foundations, and institutions by and for Muslims. Organizations like Bold.org also provide such opportunities.
Besides offering financial support, Islamic scholarship funds foster a sense of community within the Muslim student population. They not only provide financial assistance but also create memorable experiences and stories for students to share after completing their studies. Similar to other scholarships, Muslim scholarships do not require repayment. They help students finance their college education, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and minimizing the need for loans.
It’s essential to note that the availability of Muslim scholarships may vary based on factors like the field of study, region, and country. Therefore, thorough research is ideal to find suitable options. Reviewing the requirements of each scholarship ensures a successful application process.
